Game 84: Winning Streak! Two Games and Counting.

Bailey Throws Reds' 10th Consecutive Quality Start. Chapman Finishes the Business.

Reds      6   9   2  (46-38)
Padres   5   11  1  (34-52)

By Ryan Bramwell

• Stubbs began the game where he left off last night.  He homered to right in the second at-bat of the game (he doubled in his final at-bat the night before to break his 0-for-32 streak).
• Heisey went 2-4.  He hit a solid double, hit a big time 2-run homerun in the 7th, and scored twice himself.
• Todd Frazier was also 2-4.  He turned a single into a double by hustling from the get-go out of the box.  He is a crucial part of this team and must be an everyday player for the Reds to be successful.
• Mesoraco and Homer, himself, both had hits and one run batted in apiece
• Bailey had a terrific outing, for the most part.  His numbers suggest that it must have been a breeze out there, but the score proves otherwise.  Homer threw 6 2/3 innings, gave up two earned runs on seven hits, struck out eight Padres, and walked none.  He did attribute to one of the Reds' two errors, however.
• Arredondo, Marhsall and Ondrusek were all used out of the pen after Homer left the game and before Aroldis came into to finish it.  Arredondo faced two batters, gave up a hit, and got a strike out to finish the seventh inning.  Marshall came in the game in the 8th, and was awful.  All in all, Marshall recorded two outs, gave up three hits, a walk, and somehow, only one run during that time.  Ondrusek had to come in to put out the fire, which he promptly did, by getting a fly out on one pitch thrown. In the meantime, the Padres had cut the lead to just one run.  Suddenly, that three-run 7th by the Reds that was highlighted by Heisey's 2-run homer became very, very important.
• Then it was time for Aroldis "The Cuban Missile" Chapman.  The question regarding which Chapman we would see tonight was about to be answered.  Chapman has had one of the most statistically astounding seasons ever by a pitcher (starter or reliever), but has had moments that have reduced our confidence in him lately.  He has blown four saves.  And they came in quick fashion.  But we were able to put those recent memories away for awhile it seemed, as Chapman fanned the side in the 9th inning for his 10th save.  He finished the game on a 102-mph fastball.